Thursday, January 11, 2018

2017 Subcompact Sales Summary

Here's 2017's subcompact/small car sales info. There were a lot of big drops in sales vs. 2016, likely due to low fuel prices as well as a strong economy. And while both of those things are good for the U.S., they're not good for small car sales.

Biggest Gains and Losses in 2017

The two biggest gains were from cars made by Mazda, but sold as other brands. The Fiat Spider (a Mazda Miata chassis) was up 81% vs. '16. The Toyota Yaris iA (essentially a Mazda2 sedan) was up 27.7%. Rounding out the top five was the MINI Cooper Convertible up 20.7%, an actual Mazda MX-5 Miata, up 19.3%, and the MINI Countryman up 17%.

The biggest falls from grace were the Hyundai Veloster (-57.9%), the Smart Fortwo (-50.6%), the Nissan Juke (-48.1%), the Fiat 500L (-47.0%), and the Chevrolet Sonic (-45.2%).

Make/Model

% Change '16 vs. '17

Units 2017

Fiat Spider

81.0

4478

Toyota Yaris iA

27.7

35727

MINI Cooper /S Convertible

20.7

5512

Mazda MX-5 Miata

19.3

11294

MINI Countryman

17.0

14864

Honda HR-V

14.6

94034

Buick Encore

12.1

88035

Mitsubishi Mirage

0.7

22386

Chevrolet Trax

0.3

79289

MINI Cooper /S Hardtop 2 Dr

-0.3

11257

Toyota Prius c

-0.4

12415

Jeep Renegade

-3.0

103434

Ford Fiesta

-5.2

46249

Mazda CX-3

-11.9

16355

Honda Fit

-12.7

49454

BMW i3

-17.7

6276

Fiat 500

-18.0

12685

Nissan Versa

-19.2

106772

Toyota Yaris Liftback

-20.2

8653

Kia Soul

-20.6

115712

Hyundai Accent

-26.0

58955

MINI Cooper /S Hardtop 4 Dr

-30.9

7724

Fiat 500X

-35.0

7665

Chevroelt Spark

-36.4

22589

MINI Cooper /S Clubman

-36.6

7739

Kia Rio

-41.6

16760

Chevrolet Sonic

-45.2

30290

Fiat 500L

-47.0

1664

Nissan Juke

-48.1

10157

Smart

-50.6

3071

Hyundai Veloster

-57.9

12658

Toyota CH-R

NA

25755

Chevrolet Bolt

NA

23297

Units Sold in 2017

As for total units sold, that's a different story. The annual battle between Kia and Nissan was won by the Soul, which sold 115,712 units; the Versa sold 106,772 units, respectively. A close third was Jeep's Renegade crossover with 103,434 sold, the Fit-based Honda HR-V came in forth with 94,034 units, and Buick's encore crossover sold a healthy 88,035 cars.

At the bottom of the pile was Fiat's 500L with a paltry 1,664 units sold (I actually had to double-check that number to make sure it wasn't the monthly figure), the Smart Fortwo with just 3,071 units moved, Fiat's Spider with 4,478 cars sold, the MINI Cooper Convertible with 5,512 units sold, and finally the electrified BMW i3 with 6,276 cars rolling off of lots.

Make/Model

% Change '16 vs. '17

Units 2017

Kia Soul

-20.6

115712

Nissan Versa

-19.2

106772

Jeep Renegade

-3.0

103434

Honda HR-V

14.6

94034

Buick Encore

12.1

88035

Chevrolet Trax

0.3

79289

Hyundai Accent

-26.0

58955

Honda Fit

-12.7

49454

Ford Fiesta

-5.2

46249

Toyota Yaris iA

27.7

35727

Chevrolet Sonic

-45.2

30290

Toyota CH-R

NA

25,755

Chevrolet Bolt

NA

23297

Chevroelt Spark

-36.4

22589

Mitsubishi Mirage

0.7

22386

Kia Rio

-41.6

16760

Mazda CX-3

-11.9

16355

MINI Countryman

17.0

14864

Fiat 500

-18.0

12685

Hyundai Veloster

-57.9

12658

Toyota Prius c

-0.4

12415

Mazda MX-5 Miata

19.3

11294

MINI Cooper /S Hardtop 2 Dr

-0.3

11257

Nissan Juke

-48.1

10157

Toyota Yaris Liftback

-20.2

8653

MINI Cooper /S Clubman

-36.6

7739

MINI Cooper /S Hardtop 4 Dr

-30.9

7724

Fiat 500X

-35.0

7665

BMW i3

-17.7

6276

MINI Cooper /S Convertible

20.7

5512

Fiat Spider

81.0

4478

Smart

-50.6

3071

Fiat 500L

-47.0

1664

The bottom line is subcompact sales are mostly slow. Of the 31 cars listed here (not including new-for-2017 models), only nine of them had increases in sales over last year, or roughly 1/3 of the list. And remember, several of these vehicles, including the Ford Fiesta and Nissan Juke, are not returning for 2018. Will other models drop off? We'll see.

I just got intersted in subcompacts since my wife recently bought a 3 yr old Fiat 500. I was really impressed how cheaply one can get one of these, and since we have a pickup truck, a small car is all we need. I've been looking at the Spark and the Mirage, because the Fiat is a 2 door and since our truck is also a 2 door, we'll need a 4 door for pets and such. It was good to see that Mirage sales was pretty flat and higher ranked than I would have thought. Anyway, with a Spark, I'd need a 2016 and up, because it was significantly improved. With respect to a Morage, it'd have to be a 2017, because reviewers say it handles much better and mine will be a rural, state highway commuter; not a city car. I'm thinking I need another year to pay off the Fiat, sell a mid- sized sedan, and for a 2017 Mirage or 2016 Spark to get a little cheaper. Mine must be a 5 speed and they're pretty rare, but can be found. I really think the 78 horsepower Mirage may be my best choice. Owners love them, a little bigger than the Spark,better mpg, and it'd have more warranty left. I also like the idea of having a 3 cylinder and a 2,000 pound car.

GM and Ford just announced that they'll soon cancel US sales of their subcompact. That'd be Spark, Sonic, and Fiesta I guess. Odd, because I see late model Sparks all over the place in my nearby 4,000 population town. I bet there are at least twenty of them being driven around local. Very common vehicle where I live.

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